J Emerg Med
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial on Trigger Point Injections With 1% Lidocaine Versus Conventional Approaches for Myofascial Pain in the Emergency Department.
Myofascial neck and back pain is an increasingly common chief symptom in the emergency department. Currently, there are no widely accepted conventional therapies, and there is little evidence on the efficacy of interventions such as trigger point injections (TPIs). ⋯ TPI is an effective method for managing myofascial pain in the emergency department. This study indicates it may improve pain compared with conventional methods, reduce length of stay in the emergency department, and reduce opioid prescriptions on discharge.
-
Sodium nitrite is known to induce methemoglobinemia and hypotension when ingested, but reports of intentional ingestion remain rare. ⋯ We report five cases of severe methemoglobinemia secondary to large sodium nitrite ingestion that were reported to and managed by the California Poison Control System in 2019, resulting in three fatalities. The estimated doses ingested ranged from 15 grams to 113 grams, with one patient surviving after an ingestion of 60 grams. The highest documented methemoglobin level was 73%. The 2 patients who survived received methylene blue early in their clinical course. One patient required higher doses of methylene blue compared with other cases of nitrite-associated methemoglobinemia. In the patients who survived, all symptoms resolved within 24 h. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: These cases highlight the severe toxicity associated with intentional large sodium nitrite ingestion. In management, consideration should be given to administering higher initial or more frequent doses of methylene blue compared with standard practice. Given that sodium nitrite is readily accessible through online vendors, and is being circulated through various suicide forums, it has the potential to be more commonly encountered in the emergency department.
-
Deaths caused by recreational drug abuse have increased considerably in recent years. Therapeutic hypothermia offers the potential to improve neurological outcomes in post-resuscitation patients. ⋯ A 19-year-old man was brought to our emergency department after suffering out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest. He was resuscitated at our emergency department again due to VF. Urine analysis showed high levels of amphetamine and 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (ecstasy). The patient was intubated, sedated, and ventilated. Within 1 h after the return of spontaneous circulation and hemodynamic stabilization, therapeutic hypothermia was initiated for neurologic protection. An external-cooling device was used for cooling. He was maintained at 33oC for 72 h. The patient was weaned from the ventilator and extubated on day 5. He was discharged from the hospital on the day 10 with good cerebral performance. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Initiation of early therapeutic hypothermia within 1 h after return of spontaneous circulation might contribute to better neurologic outcome in patients who suffer VF cardiac arrest. We suggest that early therapeutic hypothermia may be considered in patients who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to MDMA and amphetamine intoxications.
-
Adult septic arthritis can be challenging to differentiate from other causes of acute joint pain. The diagnostic accuracy of synovial lactate and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) remains uncertain. ⋯ Septic arthritis prevalence in ED adults is lower than reported previously. History and physical examination, synovial lactate, and PCR are inadequate for the diagnosis of septic arthritis. Synovial white blood cell count and Gram stain are the most accurate tests available for septic arthritis.
-
Human rabies can be prevented through postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). Although the case fatality rate is high, there are only one to three human cases per year in the United States. Despite the low incidence, the cost of rabies diagnostics, prevention, and control is significant. Recommendations exist regarding which patients should receive PEP, though several studies demonstrate a high frequency of unnecessary prescribing of PEP. ⋯ A pharmacist-driven protocol can beneficially influence prescribing habits after potential rabies exposure and is associated with cost savings.